MURRINGOPUBLIC SCHOOL

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

May 2009

Our school community is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. We promote personal growth and excellence by developing confidence and self esteem.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is the intentional harming or hurting of a person, or their belongings, by another person or persons. It is distinguished by how the targeted person feels.

There are 4 types of bullying that can occur –

Verbal: name calling, putting down, threatening, daring, manipulating, bribing, teasing or otherwise,

antagonising.

Physical: hitting, tripping, poking, kicking, damaging or stealing belongings, hat hiding, using stand

over tactics, biting, chasing etc NB: DET Policy requires the principal to immediately

suspend any child who is physically violent towards another child or a member of staff.

Social: spreading rumours, writing notes, talking about invading other children's space, excluding children from activities etc…

Psychological: stalking, giving dirty looks, not listening and sighing, etc…

Cyber:spreading rumours online, sending unwanted messages on e-mail, chat rooms, instant

messaging or SMS, circulating embarrassing or humiliating photos and videos of other students etc…

Bullying affects the victim who may suffer from depression, shyness, low self esteem, poor academic achievement, injury to health, truancy and poor school attendance, or think some thing is wrong with them. It affects the bully who may have problems in maintaining relationships, with increased use of aggression and violence putting them at odds with society. They are 4 times more likely to have a criminal record when they reach adulthood. It affects the victim's parents and siblings, who may feel helpless and angry. It affects the bystanders who may feel guilty and may not know what to do.

Procedures

  • A whole school education about bullying as a part of the PD/H/PE scope and sequence instilling the meaning of bullying and methods children can use to deal with bullying
  • Students utilise these skills to deal with mild bullying incidents. Some skills the children can use include – taking a deep breath; looking directly into the eyes of the person attempting to bully them; speaking in a firm, clear voice and saying loudly, “Stop that, I don’t like it! Other skills are outlined in the classroom programs.
  • If bullying is seen to continue, the teacher will talk to the children involved to resolve the situation. The incident will be recorded in the School Discipline Register, as a record for future reference. The teacher will decide the severity of the incident, with the following sanctions as a result:-

BULLYING: Student behaviour level 2

PERSISTANT OR PREMEDITATED BULLYING: Student behaviour level 3

  • Staff members who feel that they have been bullied are to report the incident to the Principal who will deal with the issue using the Anti-Bullying Procedures.

At MurringoPublic School we support students and staff through-

  • creating positive classroom environments
  • consistently rewardingpositive behaviour and effort
  • classroom based Personal Development Programs
  • the Child Protection program
  • the Drug Education Program
  • the Life Education Program
  • developing positive student leadership
  • strong communication with parents through personal interviews, newsletters, educational workshops and the P&C
  • Upholding the ideals of the Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter

………. Every child deserves the right to feel safe at school ……….